Kyoto, Japan, June 24, 2016 - Russia have just suffered their first FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix 2016 loss, while Thailand have never managed to beat the Russians in their ten World Grand Prix games. As they face each other in their Group 1 encounter in Japan on Saturday, both teams could use the match as a dress rehearsal before the finals.
Head-to-Head
• Thailand are hoping to claim their first victory over Russia at the World Grand Prix after 10 successive defeats.
• Earlier this World Grand Prix, Russia beat Thailand 3-0. Irina Zaryazkho scored seven points from blocks, three more than the whole team of Thailand combined.
• Nataliya Goncharova scored 21 points from spikes against Thailand, more than half of Russia's team combined (41).
Thailand
• On Friday, Thailand lost 3-0 against Japan and missed a chance of establishing their first World Grand Prix winning streak since August 2013.
• Thailand have won two matches in the 2016 World Grand Prix. They won three in 2015.
• Ajcharaporn Kongyot has scored 111 points, including 10 aces.
• Wilavan Apinyapong has an efficiency of almost 60% (59.2) in receiving.
Russia
• On Friday, Russia lost 3-2 against Serbia, which was their first defeat in the World Grand Prix this season.
• It also snapped Russia's seven-match winning streak in the competition, which started following a 3-0 defeat against China on 25 July 2015.
• Nataliya Goncharova has scored 140 points.
• Irina Zaryazhko has registered 29 stuffed blocks.
• Anna Malova has had 79 digs and an average of 2.8 per set.